Harry, you're doing just fine - don't take one comment too hard. You're asking good questions and getting good answers. It's a lot to sort through.

We all recognize that it's hard to sort through differing opinions based on differing experiences, but I'm confident everyone here is trying to help in the best way they can. Your situation is somewhat unique, so there's some "spirited" discussion - but it's all intended to help you learn what you need to know to make a good decision

I'm 100% confident you'll be faster next summer

 

I wouldn't sweat it. I've never understood why forum members invest there emotions so. Cardo seems to be a good dude and adds a lot of value to the posts that I've seen his participating in.

 

Harry, last year I was in your boat as well. I had experience building engines, but only stock overhead cam type rebuilds and two and for stroke bikes. This last year was my first V8 push rod type engine performance rebuild. The performance thing gets difficult because you have never had to purchase non stock components and make them work with other non stock components. Se there are many descisions to be made along the way.
Guys like Billa and Makko63 have been doing this for a long time and know what works for them. They don't necessarily agree with what works, but they each have their own experience so you're going to get varying opinions.
The basics for all engines are similar. The push rod thing is different but not hard just got to make sure geometry is right.
I decided to get the Dart SHP 180cc heads with 64cc chambers as my first endeavor into this performance building thing. I also decided to get it with valves and springs installed so that was one less thing I had to set up. They were cheaper than the AFR's and can support 400HP easily. I can't highly recommend them and won't use time on my build for my 406, but they were good starters.
The heads you were originally looking at look like good starter heads to me. The AFR's came up as an option only because it was mentioned that a 383 was in the future, then things went a bit a stray from there.
I read the books recommended in this thread before I got started and they helped tremendously.
I spent 6 months just trying to figure out cams so I could hopefully get it right the first time. And it paid off. I got a 350 that performs very well and is still very streetable.
Keep up with the questions you'll get all kinds of advice then choose which you want for your build and move on. Just do your home work so you know why you should choose a specific component. Taking advice blindly without understanding is not something I have ever been comfortable with or would recommend and may lead to further confusion later when another decision needs to be made that hinges on the prior ones.
Cardo is a good guy don't take his post too hard. We all get frustrated at one time or another.

 

Firstly I want to apologize to cardio that I took your post too personally. Your post about building a3 legged dog that won't start moving until 5000rpm is what I want to avoid and the reason I started this thread

These are the heads I am going to purchase

 

These are what I am planning to purchase.



http://m.ebay.com/itm/321260921779?nav=WATCHING&sbk=1

 

If that's the actual link...those are bare heads; no valves or springs.

 

Yes.
I am going to send them to Eric Weingartner to setup the valves, cleanup and flow bench them.
Springs. Retainers lock I will source after ggetting the cam I am going to use.

 

They are angle plug heads so they may interfere with my headers.
There looks to be plenty of room behind the primary tubes for the sparkplugs. We will see

 

For a stock bottom end motor , I would get the specs of a GM Crate ZZ4 , get a set of used L-98 heads , match cam specs intake and carb and be close to 350 hp on a budget that is pretty low and you can be sure of the hp numbers.

Then keep on keeping on towards the 383 or whatever you really want to do in the future .

 

There is a write up online of a set of dart shp heads that Eric Weingartner ported.He turned them into a pretty impressive head flow wise.I do know that he also sells pro-filers and ports them.Just food for thought.I hope to get back to work on my shp 400 build this weekend.If you want I'll post pictures of side pipe headers mounted with the plugs installed.Good luck with your build.

 

Post the pics. My heads should be here next week. I'll post pics before and after I get the work done to them.

 

Picture is posted on my build thread if you're curious.

 

Update

Heads were delivered today.

I decided to go with the heads Chris Straub sells. I decided to get bare heads beacause I am unsure if I am going to use a flat tappet or hyd roller cam. Now I will start looking in to who I will have complete these heads, Hone the guides, valve job, gasket match, flow bench, ect.

 

excellent choice. that is the best way to do it. see if you can find someone who will assemble them when you pick them up.